Happy Spring-Break-Saturday, friends!
The one downside of living close to all our grandchildren (and their parents) is that they won’t be coming to visit us for spring break. 🤣
We’ve gotten spoiled since we moved here.
I’m spending time on this Saturday doing something that is a bit out of the ordinary for me.
I’m preparing to teach Sunday School tomorrow.
For the next two Sundays I’m filling in teaching a SS class in my home church (FBC Amarillo). It’s not the class I attend when I’m not preaching somewhere else, but it’s in the same department.
I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I taught a Sunday School class. I’ve been the guest speaker a few times in the SS hour for a specific emphasis, but I don’t know when I last taught a designated lesson.
So I’m spending a little extra time with the teacher materials today to see if there’s anything in there that I will use. (I’ve never liked using someone else’s outline or lesson plan, so that’s not happening).
My goal for teaching is really the same as my weekly pondering and my daily cup of encouragement:
I want people to understand how the scripture helps us see ourselves more clearly, worship God more supremely, love our neighbors more selflessly, and discover the amazing life for which we were created.
So, tomorrow, we’ll be looking at Psalm 14 through that lens (and Psalm 19 next week).
My personal reading today was Psalm 73. It was also my personal reading two years ago.
The reason I know that is because the scripture graphic attached to this post showed up in my Facebook memories.
Since that was the verse that had stood out for me again today, I decided to—for the first time ever—recycle a graphic I had previously created instead of creating a new one.
I wonder how closely it resembles reality for some of us who are trying to be faithful to Jesus.
We look around and see successful people who give no indication that the Way of Jesus ever crosses their minds.
We look at our personal challenges and wonder if following Jesus is worth it.
A few verses later, the psalmist goes a little deeper with the same idea:
“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments” (Psalm 73:13-14).
And then the AH HA! moment:
“If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children” (verse 15).
If I lose my footing and fall into envy and complaining, the damage is not isolated to me.
It’s a betrayal of the community of faith.
Why?
Because envy and discontent are contagious.
I’ve sat around tables with fellow believers and watched with dismay as observations degenerated into concerns, to complaints, to outrage, to judgments …
And what started as a prayer request never actually got around to seeking God’s wisdom and guidance.
And the problems are always “out there.”
Psalm 73 ends this way:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (verses 25-28).
“I will.” (I always notice this phrase)
My hymn text for today is a simple song that echoes the commitment of Psalm 73.
“I will celebrate … I will sing … I will praise …”
If I’m gonna be carrying something contagious, let it be praise.
Be amazing today, my friend.
